-F (-F2, -F2o): Object File Format

Group

OUTPUT

Scope

Application

Syntax

  -F(2|2o)

Arguments

2: ELF/DWARF 2.0 object-file format

2o: compatible ELF/DWARF 2.0 object-file format

Note: Not all object-file formats may be available for a target.

Default

-F2

Defines

__ELF_OBJECT_FILE_FORMAT__

Pragmas

None

Description

The Compiler writes the code and debugging info after compilation into an object file. The Compiler produces an ELF/DWARF object file when the -F2 option is set. This object-file format may also be supported by other Compiler vendors.

In the Compiler ELF/DWARF 2.0 output, some constructs written in previous versions were not conforming to the ELF standard because the standard was not clear enough in this area. Because old versions of the simulator or debugger (V5.2 or earlier) are not able to load the corrected new format, the old behavior can still be produced by using -f2o instead of -f2. Some old versions of the debugger (simulator or debugger V5.2 or earlier) generate a GPF when a new absolute file is loaded. If you want to use the older versions, use -f2o instead of -f2. New versions of the debugger are able to load both formats correctly. Also, some older ELF/DWARF object file loaders from emulator vendors may require you to set the -F2o option.

Note that it is recommended to use the ELF/DWARF 2.0 format instead of the ELF/DWARF 1.1. The 2.0 format is much more generic. In addition, it supports multiple include files plus modifications of the basic generic types (e.g., floating point format). Debug information is also more robust.